How many tracks do we need? I really see no point in this one. I suspect it will never happen and all sorts of shenanigans will ensue. Looks like a con to me and someone will get rich at the welsh taxpayers expense. MotoGP should be at Donnie.
I think its the Field of Dreams syndrome - Build it and they will come. Its all about redevelopment though isn't it. The idea is a have a Silverstone type set up in Wales. Don't see anything wrong with that, just as long as it doesn't become another Rockingham
Well we only have 2 circuits geared up to run world class events and one of those (Donnington) needs a massive amount of work to the facilities and access roads.
More circuits is good whatever the source of the cash, whether it works in wales i dont know. The weather is not great for racing on a sustained basis. Silverstone is a great circuit to ride around but its a shit venue for spectating, with zero atmosphere. Donington again, is a great circuit to ride, probably the best but it has been ruined as a day out by what has happened . I do not appreciate paying that much money to stand in a building site. Brands would be fantastic but i dont think it meets safety standards for some reasons. Yes i've been round Paddock hill as well but that can be sorted if the will is there. Mugello was built with state money to provide employment for the deprived local economy. They have a few advantages there that Wales does not have of course. I wish it well but dont hold much hope in the long term.
We only need 1. F1 and MotoGP can run at diff times. Silverstone isnt subsidised. The welsh one will be. I see no logic at subsidising welsh track at the expense of silverstone. Wales needs redevelopment I agree but do they need a racetrack? Or do they need to bring in heavy industry? I know where my investment would be if I was welsh. fair enough subsidising industry but a race track? Sorry but i think this will be an utter failure. Transport links too would need upgrading significantly.
The circuit is privately funded, they are after subsidies for the access roads. Exactly the same as Silverstone, the improvements to the A43 and the access roads were government funded. The circuit itself is only a part of the development, the majority of the development is in the new motor technology park. They have commitments from several development companies to set up labs and facilities providing much needed jobs in the area.
I hear Mallory is free for the 2015 dates... Yes, the state aid bit is questionable (and IMO at risk of legal challenge). When you think about it, Wales is somewhat over provided for in circuits per head of population. My real concern is that this is used as reason to not give any English circuits any slack on noise ("they can b*gger off to Wales to make noise")
S-Stone isn't short of cash. They charge, well the BRDC does anyway, £5m+ to Bernie to let him have the privilege of hosting the F1 race there. They also take a percentage of the ticket price. Its a very successful business. Let us not shed a tear for S-stone
Most if not all of out circuits have terrible road infrastructure. Could you imagine the holy hell of traffic problems if they held a MGP round at Oulton, Cadwell or Anglesey That said I'd love to see MGP at any of the above venues. So it will be interesting where and if the UK round will be next year.
Its difficult to see how they hope to convince all the existing motorsport technology firms surrounding silverstone to up sticks and move to wales. Where I can see companies like Nissan, Honda maybe etc, that would only move expertise and industry from one place in UK to another and not generate additional capacity. I wonder if places like Swindon and Sunderland would appreciate wales poaching all their hard work. So its European tax payers money. Thus it is subsidised and not privately funded or have I missed a key point (entirely likely). I still cannot see the need for another racetrack. I can understand the motor technology industry development. It the race track I dont get. I think weve got too many as it is.
Hopefully they'll build it in a place that will allow maximum noise days every day of the year with no noise limits
Well I can only say well done to the developers on this news. A hopefully bike orientated world class track in the uk. A big smelly finger to MSV and the BDRC. Role on racing and track days there
No, I was thinking York inner ring road - fantastic variation, Park and Ride now on all 4 sides of the City for access, Medieval Walls 85% of the way around the inner ring road for viewing, more pubs per square mile than anywhere so catering done too, direct rail links too for most ;-) perfect venue
It is primarily a privately funded scheme with some investment by the european and british government, subsidised yes, but still primarily a privately funded scheme. I'm a bit dumbfounded as to why bike fans and petrolheads wouldn't want a modern world class motorsports facility built in the uk (unless they work for the BRDC or MSV).
Its not the facility but the location. I only go to Wales if i absolutely have to. Each time ive been its been miserable. Ive never seen the sun in wales and Ive been there in summer. Its just a bit 'out of the way' for a world class motorsport facility. Sooner see something like that in the middle of teh country. At least Donnie has an airport and the dreaded M1. I just cant fathom the logic of positioning something like that miles from anywhere. I agree Wales has some terrific scenery etc and Ive hiked around the place and done pot holing etc and it does deserve some investment after the witch destroyed the communities there. I'm just skeptical thats all. If it goes ahead I wish them all the luck. I think they will need it.
Exactly, York GP - centre of the universe - massive catchment and less than 2 hours on the train from the big shitty!
Silverstone, Donington, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Thruxton, Anglesey, Castle Coombe, Cadwell, Rockingham, Oulton, Croft, Mallory, Pembrey ... drag strips, motocross courses, hillclimbs, test tracks ... Yes we're really short of motor sport facilities and could do with another one.
